NDRG1与MMP-7在胰腺导管腺癌中的表达及意义

目的:检测胰腺导管腺癌中NDRG1及MMP-7的表达,探讨其与临床病理特征的关系,并分析二者在胰腺癌诊断及治疗中的意义。方法:胰腺导管腺癌标本86例,胰腺导管腺癌癌旁正常胰腺组织86例,应用免疫组化法检测NDRG1和MMP-7蛋白的表达情况,检测其表达水平与临床病理特征的关系及二者的统计学相关性。结果:NDRG1和MMP-7表达于胰腺导管腺癌导管内皮细胞膜及细胞质,平均光密度值分别为0.1934±0.0327及0.1876±0.0249,在癌旁正常胰腺组织中NDRG1、MMP-7平均光密度值分别为0.1323±0.0243及0.1156±0.0297,二者差异有统计学意义（P<0.01;P<0.05）。NDRG1高表达与肿瘤直径、肿瘤TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈正相关性（P<0.05;P<0.01;P<0.05）。MMP-7高表达与肿瘤直径、肿瘤TNM分期、淋巴结转移呈正相关性（P均<0.05）。Spearman rank相关分析结果显示,NDRG1及MMP-7呈统计学正相关性（r＝0.267,P<0.05）。结论:NDRG1和MMP-7蛋白表达增高与胰腺导管腺癌的发生、发展及侵袭转移有关。NDRG1和MMP-7在胰腺导管腺癌组织中的表达相关,二者联合检测可作为胰腺癌预后判断及治疗的靶向候选基因。     

Impact of caveolin-1 expression on prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Caveolin-1 is a major component of caveolae and plays a regulatory role in several signalling pathways. Caveolin-1 was recently identified as a metastasis-related gene in prostate cancer. The clinical effects of caveolin-1 expression in pancreatic carcinoma, however, remain unknown. In this study, we have investigated the relationship between caveolin-1 expression and the clinicopathologic variables and clinical outcome in 79 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma undergoing surgical resection. Caveolin-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, using a polyclonal anti-caveolin-1 antibody. Patients were divided into two groups based on the extent of caveolin-1 expression: a negative expression group (immunoreactivity in less than 50% of cells) and a positive expression group. Positive caveolin-1 immunostaining was detected in 32 cases (40.5% of total), while non-neoplastic ductal epithelium showed little or no staining. Positive caveolin-1 expression was correlated with tumour diameter (P=0.0079), histopathologic grade (P=0.0272) and poor prognosis (P=0.0008). Upon multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model, positive caveolin-1 expression was shown to be an independent negative predictor for survival (P=0.0358). These results suggest that caveolin-1 overexpression is associated with tumour progression, thereby indicating a poor prognosis for certain patients undergoing surgical resection for pancreatic carcinoma.     

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 protein expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) expression was detected in different malignancies and is associated with poor prognosis. However, its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has not been fully elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of MR-1 expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with PDAC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the protein expression of MR-1 and epithelial (E)-cadherin in 87 patients with PDAC. Results showed that MR-1 expression was correlated with histologic grade, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis (all P <0.05). In addition, MR-1 expression showed a significant inverse correlation with E-cadherin expression (P?=?0.002). Furthermore, the variables associated with prognosis were analyzed by Cox’s proportional hazards model. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to plot survival curves according to different expression levels of MR-1. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that MR-1 expression was significantly associated with worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in patients with PDAC (both P <0.001). Finally, multivariate analysis demonstrated that MR-1 expression, together with histologic grade, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS and OS rates in patients with PDAC. MR-1 overexpression was tightly associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and a poor prognosis, indicating that MR-1 is a valuable molecular biomarker for PDAC progression.     

ErbB3 expression promotes tumorigenesis in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Historically, ErbB3 has been overlooked within the ErbB receptor family due to its perceived lack of tyrosine kinase activity. We have previously demonstrated that in pancreatic cancer ErbB3 is the preferred dimerization partner of EGFR, ErbB3 protein expression level directly correlates with the anti-proliferative effect of erlotinib (an EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor), and transient knockdown of ErbB3 expression results in acquired resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy. In this study, we develop a stable isogenic model of ErbB3 expression in an attempt to decipher ErbB3''s true contribution to pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis and to examine how this receptor affects cellular sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapy. Analysis of the EGFR-ErbB3 heterodimer demonstrates that ligand-induced PI3K-AKT signaling is limited to ErbB3-expressing cells and that this signaling cascade can be partially abrogated by inhibiting EGFR function with erlotinib. Using our model of exogenous ErbB3 expression we showed a direct relationship between ErbB3 protein levels and increased pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo, ErbB3+PANC-1 xenografts had a significantly larger tumor volume than PANC-1 control xenografts (ErbB3-PANC-1) and displayed increased sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapy. In pancreatic cancer, ErbB3 appears to be critically involved in EGFR signaling as evidenced by its profound effect on cellular proliferation and its ability to influence response to EGFR-targeted therapy.Key words: ErbB3, EGFR, pancreatic cancer, EGFR-targeted therapy, tumorigenesis     

GOT1/AST1 expression status as a prognostic biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Prognostication in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a challenge. Recently, a link between mutated KRAS and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT1/AST1) has been described as part of the metabolic reprogramming in PDAC. The clinical relevance of this novel metabolic KRAS-GOT1 link has not been determined in primary human patient samples. Here we studied the GOT1 expression status as a prognostic biomarker in PDAC. We employed three independent PDAC cohorts with clinicopathological- and follow-up data: a) ICGC, comprising 57 patients with whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide expression profiling; b) ULM, composed of 122 surgically-treated patients with tissue-samples and KRAS status; c) a validation cohort of 140 primary diagnostic biopsy samples. GOT1 expression was assessed by RNA level (ICGC) or immunolabeling (ULM/validation cohort). GOT1 expression varied (ICGC) and correlation with the KRAS mutation- and expression status was imperfect (P = 0.2, ICGC; P = 0.8, ULM). Clinicopathological characteristics did not differ when patients were separated based on GOT1 high vs. low (P = 0.08–1.0); however, overall survival was longer in patients with GOT1-expressing tumors (P = 0.093, ICGC; P = 0.049, ULM). Multivariate analysis confirmed GOT1 as an independent prognostic marker (P = 0.009). Assessment in univariate (P = 0.002) and multivariate models in the validation cohort (P = 0.019), containing 66% stage IV patients, confirmed the independency of GOT1.We propose the GOT1 expression status as a simple and reliable prognostic biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.     

Biglycan expression and clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Conflicting results have been reported on the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies suggest that the overexpression of biglycan (proteoglycan-I, PG-I), a leucine-rich protein of the ECM, may induce growth arrest of pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of biglycan expression in pancreatic cancer. We also evaluated MIB-1 and COX-2 expressions (as potential markers of growth and aggressiveness) to better characterize the biology of the tumors. The classical pathological parameters (grading, desmoplasia, perineural, or vascular invasion) as well as molecular determinants of prognosis were examined. MIB-1 (a proliferative index associated with prognosis in most tumors), COX-2, and PG-I expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on tissue samples from 53 patients with pancreatic cancer and reviewed by two independent pathologists. To verify PG-I expression, three rabbit sera (LF104, LF112, and LF121 from NIH, Bethesda, MA, US) were tested. Logrank test and Cox’s model were applied for statistical analysis. Out of 53 patients, 40 had stage III and IV pancreatic cancer. Fourteen patients did not express any of the PG-I epitopes. The patients who expressed at least two PG-I epitopes had shorter survival compared to those with single epitope or lacking any expression (28 vs 44 weeks, P?=?0.0021). The MIB-1 higher expression predicted shorter survival (25 vs 41 weeks, P?=?0.0059). The other parameters were not associated with clinical outcome. Multivariate analyses confirmed PG-I expression and MIB-1 as independent negative prognostic factors. Patients who presented PG-I expression in the ECM had the worse prognosis compared to those who did not. Our results are not in contrast with the hypothesis that ECM proteins are a potential barrier to metastatic spread in localized pancreatic cancer. Rather, we underline the complexity of tumor–stroma interactions in the advanced stage of cancer and the need of further study.     

SEL1L expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma parallels SMAD4 expression and delays tumor growth in vitro and in vivo

Recent data suggest that SEL1L may play an important role in pancreatic carcinoma, similar to breast cancer, where the expression of SEL1L has been associated with a reduction in both proliferative activity in vitro and clinical tumor aggressiveness. To investigate this possibility, we examined the expression of Sel1L in a series of primary pancreatic carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and characterized the effects of Sel1L overexpression both in vitro and in vivo. In 74 pancreatic cancers analysed, 36% lacked Sel1L expression, although there was no significant correlation between the expression of Sel1L and any clinicopathologic parameter, including survival. However, immunohistochemical reactivity for Sel1L and Dpc4/Smad4 was concordant in 69% of cases (chi(2) test P&<0.004). Overexpression of SEL1L in stably transfected pancreatic cancer cells caused both a decrease in clonogenicity and anchorage-independent growth as well as a significant increase in the levels of activin A and SMAD4. When implanted in nude mice, Suit-2-SEL1L-overexpressing clones displayed a considerably reduced rate of tumor growth. Thus, it can be hypothesized that Sel1L plays an important function in the growth and aggressiveness of pancreatic carcinoma. Moreover, our data provide evidence that SEL1L has an impact on the expression of genes involved in regulation of cellular growth, possibly through the TGF-beta signaling pathway.     

Stromal galectin-1 expression is associated with long-term survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

The overall 5 year survival rate for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (i.e., PDAC) is a dismal 5%, although patients that have undergone surgical resection have a somewhat better survival rate of up to 20%. Very long-term survivors of PDAC (defined as patients with ≥ 10 year survival following apparently curative resection), on the other hand, are considerably less frequent. The molecular characteristics of very long-term survivors (VLTS) are poorly understood, but might provide novel insights into prognostication for this disease. In this study, a panel of five VLTS and stage-matched short-term survivors (STS, defined as disease-specific mortality within 14 months of resection) were identified, and quantitative proteomics was applied to comparatively profile tumor tissues from both cohorts. Differentially expressed proteins were identified in cancers from VLTS vs. STS patients. Specifically, the expression of galectin-1 was 2-fold lower in VLTS compared with STS tumors. Validation studies were performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in two additional cohorts of resected PDAC, including: 1) an independent cohort of VLTS and 2) a panel of sporadic PDAC with a considerable range of overall survival following surgery. Immunolabeling analysis confirmed that significantly lower expression of stromal galectin-1 was associated with VLTS (p = 0.02) and also correlated with longer survival in sporadic, surgically-treated PDAC cases (hazard ratio = 4.9, p = 0.002). The results from this study provide new insights to better understand the role of galectin-1 in PDAC survival, and might be useful for rendering prognostic information, and developing more effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving survival.     

人胰腺核糖核酸酶的基因克隆、蛋白表达与活性测定

目的:构建人胰腺核糖核酸酶(hpRNase)原核表达载体、获得纯化hpRNase蛋白,为构建乳腺癌单链免疫毒素奠定基础.方法:针对编码hpRNase成熟蛋白基因的cDNA序列设计相应的引物,通过反转录PCR技术,从一例胰腺切除患者的组织标本中,扩增出编码hpRNase成熟蛋白的cDNA序列,亚克隆入表达载体pPROEX-HTb;在大肠杆菌B121中经IPTG诱导融合蛋白表达,并用镍离子交换树脂进行蛋白纯化;通过RNA水解实验验证hpRNase重组蛋白的活性.结果:经PCR、酶切、测序等方法鉴定,hpRNase cDNA正确克隆入pPROEX-HTb表达载体;IPTG可诱导载体表达分子量约20 kD的蛋白产物,经Western blot验证可与抗hpRNase抗体发生特异性反应;经镍离子交换树脂纯化后的重组蛋白可有效降解RNA.结论:成功构建hpR-Nase原核表达载体,并获得有RNA降解活性的hpRNase重组蛋白,为进一步构建乳腺癌单链免疫毒素奠定了基础.     

FGF-1 and FGF-2 regulate the expression of E-cadherin and catenins in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

E-cadherin is a transmembrane protein that mediates Ca2+-dependent cell-cell adhesion and is implicated in a number of biologic processes, including cell growth and differentiation, cell recognition and cell sorting during development. We have previously demonstrated that both cell-cell adhesion and invasion are modulated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and FGF-2 in a panel of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (BxPc3, T3M4 and HPAF). Here, we examine further the role of FGFs in the expression and activation of the E-cadherin/catenin system. We demonstrate that both FGF-1 and FGF-2 upregulate E-cadherin and beta-catenin at the protein level in the BxPc3 and HPAF cell lines and modestly in T3M4 cells. FGF-1 and FGF-2 facilitate the association of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin with the cytoskeleton, as demonstrated by the increase in the detergent-insoluble fraction of E-cadherin in BxPc3 and HPAF cells. Since the correct function of the E-cadherin/catenin complex requires its association with the cytoskeleton, our data suggest that FGF-1 and FGF-2 contribute to the integrity and thus the function of the complex. Furthermore, FGFs facilitate the assembly of the E-cadherin/catenin axis. The effect is associated with elevation of tyrosine phosphorylation of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-4051 mu-catenin and gamma-catenin, but not p120ctn. These findings indicate that the E-cadherin/catenin system is a target of the FGF/FGFR system and that coordinated signals from both systems may determine the ultimate biologic responses.     

人胰腺核糖核酸酶的基因克隆、蛋白表达与活性测定

目的：构建人胰腺核糖核酸酶（hpRNase）原核表达载体、获得纯化hpRNase蛋白,为构建乳腺癌单链免疫毒素奠定基础。方法：针对编码hpRNase成熟蛋白基因的cDNA序列设计相应的引物,通过反转录PCR技术,从一例胰腺切除患者的组织标本中,扩增出编码hpRNase成熟蛋白的cDNA序列,亚克隆入表达载体pPROEX—HTb;在大肠杆菌BL21中经1PTG诱导融合蛋白表达,并用镍离子交换树脂进行蛋白纯化;通过RNA水解实验验证hpRNase重组蛋白的活性。结果：经PCR、酶切、测序等方法鉴定,hpRNase cDNA正确克隆人pPROEX—HTb表达载体;IPTG可诱导载体表达分子量约20kD的蛋白产物,经Westerm blot验证可与抗hpRNase抗体发生特异性反应;经镍离子交换树脂纯化后的重组蛋白可有效降解RNA。结论：成功构建hpRNase原核表达载体,并获得有RNA降解活性的hpRNase重组蛋白,为进一步构建乳腺癌单链免疫毒素奠定了基础。     

Aberrant DNA methyltransferase expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development and progression

Background

Altered gene methylation, regulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) 1, 3a and 3b, contributes to tumorigenesis. However, the role of DNMT in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown.

Methods

Expression of DNMT 1, 3a and 3b was detected in 88 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and 10 normal tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. Changes in cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis of PDAC cell lines (Panc-1 and SW1990) were assessed after transfection with DNMT1 and 3b siRNA. Levels of CDKN1A, Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA were assessed by qRT-PCR, and methylation of the Bax gene promoter was assayed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP).

Results

DNMT1, 3a and 3b proteins were expressed in 46.6%, 23.9%, and 77.3% of PDAC tissues, respectively, but were not expressed in normal pancreatic tissues. There was a co-presence of DNMT3a and DNMT3b expression and an association of DNMT1 expression with alcohol consumption and poor overall survival. Moreover, knockdown of DNMT1 and DNMT3b expression significantly inhibited PDAC cell viability, decreased S-phase but increased G1-phase of the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. Molecularly, expression of CDKN1A and Bax mRNA was upregulated, and the Bax gene promoter was demethylated. However, a synergistic effect of combined DNMT1 and 3b knockdown was not observed.

Conclusion

Expression of DNMT1, 3a and 3b proteins is increased in PDAC tissues, and DNMT1 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients. Knockdown of DNMT1 and 3b expression arrests tumor cells at the G1 phase of the cell cycle and induces apoptosis. The data suggest that DNMT knockdown may be a novel treatment strategy for PDAC.     

The expression and functions of microRNAs in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are devastating human malignancies that are characterized by poor prognosis, late onset, and a lack of known biomarkers. New diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets are desperately needed to develop novel and effective treatment strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an emerging class of molecules with roles in various cellular processes, including growth, survival, and apoptosis. Most importantly, aberrant expression of miRNAs has been implicated in cancer pathogenesis. miRNA expression profiles of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma indicate selective overexpression of oncogenic miRNAs and down-regulation of tumor suppressive miRNAs in these cancers. This review summarizes results from key studies conducted to characterize the miRNA expression profiles of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma and describes the potential mechanisms by which some oncogenic or tumor suppressive miRNAs act. Furthermore, this review outlines novel therapeutic strategies for targeting miRNAs.     

子宫颈腺癌人乳头状瘤病毒感染与型别分布研究中应注意的问题

子宫颈癌是女性常见的恶性肿瘤之一.在过去的几十年中,以细胞学为基础的筛查已大大降低了一些国家子宫颈鳞状细胞癌的发病率.但是,子宫颈腺癌的绝对和相对发病率在全世界范围内有所增高,即使在成功开展了子宫颈癌筛查的国家之中,其腺癌发病率也呈现出上升趋势.这种变化趋势使得腺癌成为子宫颈癌预防的焦点之一,同时也提示以细胞学为基础的常规筛查并不能有效预防子宫颈腺癌.人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)是子宫颈腺癌的一个重要的致病因素,因此,以HPV DNA为基础的筛查和子宫颈癌疫苗能有效预防子宫颈腺癌的发生.但是,这些措施的实施和评价有赖于腺癌中HPV感染率和型别分布的可靠数据.文章综述了目前关于子宫颈腺癌HPV感染和型别分布研究所存在的问题及相应的解决方法.     

Correlation of glypican-1 expression with TGF-beta, BMP, and activin receptors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Glypican1 (GPC1) is a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan that acts as a co-receptor for heparin-binding growth factors as well as for members of the TGF-beta family. GPC1 plays a role in pancreatic cancer by regulating growth factor responsiveness. In view of the importance of members of the TGF-beta family in pancreatic cancer, in the present study, the role of GPC1 in TGF-beta, BMP and activin signaling was analyzed. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were utilized to analyze GPC1 and TGF-beta, BMP and activin receptor expression levels. Panc-1 and T3M4 pancreatic cancer cells were transfected in a stable manner with a GPC1 antisense expression construct. Anchorage-dependent and -independent growth was determined by MTT and soft agar assays. TGF-beta1, activin-A and BMP-2 responsiveness was determined by MTT assays and immunoblotting with p21, p-Smad1, and p-Smad2 antibodies. QRT-PCR demonstrated increased GPC1 mRNA levels in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) compared to normal pancreatic tissues (NPT), as described previously. There was a significant correlation between GPC1 mRNA levels and TbetaRII, act-R1a, act-R1b, act-R2a, BMP-R1a, and BMP-R2 mRNA expression in NPT. In contrast, GPC1 mRNA expression correlated directly with act-R1a and BMP-R1a in N0 PDAC cases and with act-R2a and BMP-R1a in lymph node positive cases. Down-regulation of GPC1 resulted in increased doubling time in Panc-1 but not in T3M4 cells, and decreased anchorage-independent growth in both cell lines. GPC1 down-regulation resulted in a slightly altered response towards TGF-beta1, activin-A and BMP-2 in terms of growth, p21 induction and Smad2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, enhanced GPC1 expression correlates with BMP and activin receptors in pancreatic cancer. GPC1 down-regulation suppresses pancreatic cancer cell growth and slightly modifies signaling of members of the TGF-beta family of growth factors.     

Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma contains a side population resistant to gemcitabine

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Therapy resistance remains one of the major challenges to improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Chemoresistant cells, which potentially also display cancer stem cell (CSC) characteristics, can be isolated using the side population (SP) technique. Our aim was to search for a SP in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and to examine its chemoresistance and CSC([MINUS SIGN]like) phenotype. METHODS: Human PDAC samples were expanded in immunodeficient mice and first-generation xenografts analyzed for the presence of a Hoechst dye-effluxing SP using flow cytometry (FACS). To investigate chemoresistance of the SP, mice bearing PDAC xenografts were treated with gemcitabine and SP proportion determined. In addition, the SP and the main tumour cell population (MP) were sorted by FACS for RNA extraction to profile gene expression, and for culturing under sphere-forming conditions. RESULTS: A SP was identified in all PDAC samples, analyzed. This SP was more resistant to gemcitabine than the other tumour cells as examined in vivo. Whole-genome expression profiling of the SP revealed upregulation of genes related to therapy resistance, apoptotic regulation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, the SP displayed higher tumourigenic (CSC) activity than the MP as analyzed in vitro by sphere-forming capacity. CONCLUSION: We identified a SP in human PDAC and uncovered a chemoresistant and CSC-associated phenotype. This SP may represent a new therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT00936104.